Full Breakdown
David Borenstein Joins ‘A Fox Under a Pink Moon’ as Executive Producer
7/7/2026, 10:19:17 PM
Executive Production Announcement
Oscar-winning director David Borenstein, whose recent documentary is *Mr. Nobody Against Putin*, announced his appointment as executive producer of *A Fox Under a Pink Moon*. The feature documentary, co-directed by Iranian filmmaker Mehrdad Oskouei and 16-year-old Afghan refugee Soraya Akhlaghi, follows Akhlaghi’s attempt to flee an abusive arranged marriage and seek asylum in Europe. The announcement was made to Deadline in July 2026.
Background & Context
The film documents Akhlaghi’s life in Tehran, where she was forced into a child marriage. Using a phone-shot visual diary, she created the documentary’s artwork and cinematography, turning personal trauma into a first-person artistic narrative. Oskouei, known for intimate portraits of marginalized people, expands his oeuvre with this collaboration.
Key Figures
- David Borenstein – Academy Award-winning director and executive producer.
- Mehrdad Oskouei – Veteran Iranian documentarian, co-director and producer.
- Soraya Akhlaghi – Afghan refugee, co-director, cinematographer, visual artist.
- Supporting crew includes animator Mohammad Lotfali, editor Amir Adibparvar, and composer Afshin Azizi.
Data & Statistics
The documentary won Best Film in International Competition at IDFA (Amsterdam) and received awards at ZagrebDox (Croatia) and Full Frame (Durham, NC). It was screened at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15 2026. Borenstein’s executive-producer roster now includes Rebecca Lichtenfeld, Chandra Jessee, Siavesh Jamali and Tony Tabatznik.
Official Statements & Responses
Borenstein described the film as an electric first-person account that offers almost unbearable intimacy into Akhlaghi’s arranged marriage, highlighting art’s capacity for resilience. He praised the cross-cultural collaboration as “piercing” and said the work inspires him. The IDFA jury cited the film for opening a window onto art and hope in difficult times.
Criticism & Opposition
No criticism or opposing commentary was reported.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The film is an electric first-person account of Soraya’s attempts to escape to Europe, and an undercover filming project that takes you inside her abusive arranged marriage with almost unbearable intimacy.” — David Borenstein
- “Some of these images I will never get out of my head. I don’t want to.” — David Borenstein
- “I love A Fox Under a Pink Moon… Soraya deserves the biggest audience we can find for her. I intend to help find it.” — David Borenstein
- “Zongo, and Myriam Sassine wrote in their citation, “This film opens a window onto the power of art and hope during the difficult times through which we’re living.” — IDFA jurors (Eric Hynes, Isabelle Glachant, Maya Daisy Hawke, Michel K. Zongo, Myriam Sassine)
What’s Next
The film is positioned as a contender for the 2027 Academy Awards. Borenstein has pledged to help secure wider distribution and festival screenings, aiming to bring Akhlaghi’s story to a global audience. A trailer is available online, and further promotion is planned for the rest of 2026.
